Newspaper Articles

Brooke News
April 15, 1960

Roosevelt Speaks Here In behalf Of Jack Kennedy Campaign

Franklin Roosevelt, Jr., campaigning in West Virginia for Senator Jack Kennedy, told an audience of 175 persons in the County Court House Monday night that "for practical and personal reasons, I have cast my lot in all sincerity with Sen. Jack Kennedy for President of the United States."

Mr. Roosevelt attacked the religious issue which has cropped up in the presidential election, saying that it is a terrible issue and should be cast aside when Democrats go to the polls May 10.

He cited the fact that religion was no issue when Sen. Kennedy entered the Navy, and neither is it an important fact when the Senator votes on important issues in the Senate.

He viewed Sen. Kennedy as a man of youth, vigor and courage, and as having the leadership to warrant his nomination as President of the United States.

Mr. Roosevelt said that his family and the Kennedy family have been great friends through the years, citing that the Senator's father worked in the administration of President Roosevelt. He said that he and the Senator were college classmates and both served in the Navy.

Mr. Roosevelt, in reviewing the Brooke County election ballt, said that there were 139 names appearing on the ballot. In New York, he said, merchants give emplyes a four-hour holiday in which to vote. He added that Brooke voters would need two days to mark their primary ballot.

Mr. Roosevelt was introduced by Ralph Pryor of Wellsburg, a candidate for judge of the first judicial district. Toastmaster for the evening was Richard W. Barnes, local attorney and a candidate to the Democratic convention.

Mr. Barnes announced that Sen. Kennedy will appear in Wheeling April 19, and also at the Weirton Community Center, May 1, at 6:30 p. m.

Others introduced at the meeting were John Chernenko, Brooke County Democratic chairman; Albert Chapman of Wheeling, and Mrs. Robert Shute of Follansbee, county committee members.